Mavs Should Trade for Pacers’ Myles Turner to Bolster Depleted Frontcourt

Even earlier than Maxi Kleber went down with a torn hamstring, the Dallas Mavericks may’ve used a flexible defensive anchor like Indiana Pacers huge man and DFW native Myles Turner. Now, with Kleber set to overlook no less than six-to-eight weeks? They may use Turner’s providers greater than ever.

The 26-year-old is within the last yr of his contract with the Pacers, and until a contract extension takes place within the subsequent month or so, Indiana could be sensible to commerce Turner now as a substitute of probably dropping him for nothing. The Mavs know firsthand how that feels, as they misplaced Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks for nothing in free company over the summer season. In hindsight, getting something for Brunson would’ve been higher than what transpired.

Gauging Turner’s commerce worth is hard, as a result of though he is on an expiring contract and seems to be heading for unrestricted free company, he is additionally at present having a career-best season with the Pacers. In 24 video games, Turner is averaging 17.4 factors, 7.8 rebounds and a pair of.2 blocks per sport whereas capturing 55.5 p.c from the sphere, together with 43 p.c on 3s.

That type of manufacturing is nicely value a crew giving up no less than one first-round choose for, which one thing Dallas will certainly attempt to keep away from, if attainable, given its restricted draft capital flexibility as a consequence of proudly owning the Knicks its 2023 choose. Nonetheless, any crew giving up a future first-round choose shall be taking a threat until they know for certain Turner will signal a long-term contract to remain previous this season.

Turner’s worth will rely on what the commerce market seems to be like and the way the Pacers entrance workplace feels concerning the items the Mavs have to supply, however here is a commerce state of affairs we may see probably working for either side:

Mavs obtain: Myles Turner

Pacers obtain: Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell, two second-round picks

In principle, the Pacers may get a greater provide for Turner than this one, however once more, any crew buying and selling for Turner is taking a threat. Not solely may Turner stroll for nothing in free company, however he additionally has a prolonged harm historical past as nicely, which may make groups hesitant when discussing the phrases of a contract extension.

Though Kleber goes to overlook a while together with his hamstring harm, he is received three years remaining on his contract after this one and would assist Indiana when he returns. Powell, who’s on an expiring contract, has confirmed he may be helpful in restricted minutes as each a starter and a bench participant. Each Kleber and Powell have been favorites of former coach Rick Carlisle, who’s now the coach of the Pacers, so maybe that would play an element right here as nicely.

For the Mavs, getting Turner would really feel like destiny, as the 2 sides have been linked in commerce rumors for almost 5 years now. Turner has all the time proven a keenness for his hometown crew and has all the time been complementary of Luka Doncic.

“Oh, [Luka’s] positively up there,” Turner advised DallasBasketball.com in an unique offseason interview when requested about Doncic’s standing among the many NBA’s elite. “The way in which he sees the sport, the way in which he’s in a position to get everybody concerned, the swag he performs with — he embodies — is uncommon. Particularly as younger as he’s. He got here into this league actually killing it from the soar.

“I feel he’s going to proceed to work on his physique and work on the little sides of his sport. So far as straight expertise, he already has all that down. So hopefully he’s in Dallas for years to come back. But it surely’s attention-grabbing to see how he’s in a position to garner a lot success so quick.”

Turner was noticed at American Airways Middle taking within the Mavs’ postseason run to the Western Convention Finals final season, and he was impressed with the ambiance.

“That ambiance was electrical,” stated Turner. “It’s one factor to play [at AAC] through the season, however Mavericks playoffs was attention-grabbing to look at from the sideline. I went to a [Mavs] playoff sport once I was a child, however I used to be actually younger and couldn’t admire it the identical manner. … It was cool to see.

“I used to be shocked they beat Phoenix and made it so far as they did. Hopefully they proceed to construct on their success as nicely.”

Discovering a strategy to purchase Turner earlier than the February 9 commerce deadline would assist the Mavs just do that.

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